THE EXECUTIVE ENDEAVOUR
HOUSE JOURNAL OF BSNL EXECUTIVES' ASSOCIATION (India), CHQ, NEW DELHI
Issue III, July, 2002G.L. JOGI General Secretary
Central Hqs,Flat No.71,Pocket D-15,
Sector-VII, Rohini, Delhi-110085.
Ph. : 7041122
NEWS IN BRIEF
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A) Revision of All India TES Gr B seniority in respect of SC/ST Government servants on promotion by virtue of rule of reservation/roster is in full swing in STG-II section of D.O.T. Process to be over within two to three weeks.
B) Sr DDG(P)/BSNL Chairman of the committee set up to finalise IDA pay scales and perks for executives in BSNL calls for data from Heads of Circles vide No : 12-14/2002 TEI dated 21st June 2002 in respect of SDEs so as to give them weightage of previous service consequent upon their absorption in BSNL. Similar data is being sought for in respect of JTOs.
C) Competent Authority sets up a committee vide No; BSNL/38/SR/2002 dated 7-5-2002 under the Chairmanship of Sr DDG(P) to decide on the issue of IDA pay scales and perks for executives consequent upon their absorption in BSNL. The Association hails this important decision of BSNL management as it fully vindicates stand of the Association on absorption issue.
D) BSNL management issues instructions to Heads of circles asking them to send the proposals for creation of S.T.S posts in March and September. Also orders to be issued very shortly delegating powers to Heads of Circles for creation of man month posts permanently. Both these decisions are the direct result of our strenuous efforts to streamline S.T.S post creation.
E) The draft proposal delegating powers to Heads of Circles for permitting Adhoc S.T.S officers to officiate in JAG, even without being regular J.T.S, is being sent to Director(Finance)/BSNL for considering approval of protection of pay. Association vigorously pursuing the issue.
F) Another inter circle request transfer of SDEs being issued very shortly.
G) First C.W.C meeting of Association at Mumbai on 12 and 13 August, 02.
H) Adhoc S.T.S promotion order for about 580 likely to be issued in another three weeks time.
I) D.P.C. by U.P.S.C. for regular J.T.S. against vacancies of 96, 97, 98,and 99 already over.
J) K.P.M.G, a global consultant, to submit its interim report on HR functions, manpower utilisation, redeployment and business strategy relating to BSNL by July end.
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Editorial
CRUSADE FOR JUSTICE – GET READY FOR A DECISIVE STRUGGLE
E2 Pay scale i.e. 10750-300-16750 for JTOs & point to point fixation
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The formation of a committee to finalize the IDA Pay Scales and other perks for Executives in BSNL and recommend the same to the BSNL Board for its Consideration and approval is, undoubtedly, not only a step in the right direction, but, in essence, a clear and definite vindication of our stand on the issue of absorption i.e to spell out certain basic issues like IDA pay scales, fitment principle etc. prior to initiating the process of absorption.
In fact, the only and only purpose of our present effort to struggle under a new banner was and is to make it absolutely certain that basic issues of getting appropriate IDA pay scales and point to point fitment criterion are not sealed and jeopardized and do not reach the dead of the road as other important issues have. Our concern primarily was and is that we are not left in a high and dry situation where we are left with nothing except beating our chests in utter despair and despondency as we are doing now in respect of our critical cadre issues which have been practically lost sight of. To that extent the intervening developments and eventual formation of committee to, at least, come out with certain conclusions on IDA pay scales and fitment criterion is largely in recognition of our stand and surely indicative of a positive frame of mind on the part of the management. The existing stalemate in respect of absorption could have been prevented had this kind of prudence to form a committee to decide certain basic services conditions prior to absorption come about timely.
We have all the reasons to be satisfied in so far as composition of the committee is concerned since it is headed by a person [Sr. DDG (P)] of extraordinary pragmatism and extremely modern, positive and radical outlook. But then this fact should not lead us into a complacent situation where lack of adequate and comprehensive organisational preparedness shall come in the way of our decisive and critical struggle to resolve the issues. We shall have to bear in mind that nothing is more crucial is to us, at this moment, than getting E2 pay scales for JTOS, which impliedly shall be the threshold of our pay structure demand in the new setup. Informal discussions with the committee reveal that so far their mind is open, but there is a word of caution "in the interest of the company". That is where we should maintain total preparedness. Moreover, our task and challenge is made all the more difficult because of prevailing situation in which there appears to be a clear understanding between those claiming to be the sole champion of TES Gr 'B' and the BSNL management to accept E1 pay scale for JTOs. To accomplish this, we may be required to go back to the days of 1986, when we exhibited extraordinary commitment and resolution to accomplish our much-cherished demand of pay scale of 1640-2900 for JTOs. The success of that historical and unparalleled struggle placed us in a distinctively strategic position for all times to come and paved the way for all our future career breakthroughs. And today, looking back, we draw tremendous confidence and inspiration from the success of that struggle and should get ready to achieve yet another milestone in our career. This breakthrough of getting E2 for JTOS shall undoubtedly place us in a very strategic in new setup.
Thus hectic preparations, at the grass root level should commence and should reach peak by the time the committee comes out with it's report and BSNL board finally takes a decision.
This is the time when we shall have to go in for all out organisational actions to accomplish our basic objectives of appropriate pay scales and point to point fixation. There shall be no compromise on these vital issues and there should be no let up in respect of our preparations. We call upon our base level members, activist and our office bearers at all the levels to start intensive preparations by way of holding branch level meetings etc. to thoroughly educate and motivate our base level members to maintain total and absolute organisational preparedness to respond to any challenge, even at shortest possible notice. This is something that shall spell disaster and doom for us and this conspiracy shall have to be exposed and deflated through a sustained struggle.
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(A)ISSUES OF UTMOST CONCERN REQUIRING IMMEDIATE ORGANISATIONAL INTERVENTION, IF REQUIRED
(A1) Addressed to CMD/BSNL vide no. BSNLEA/CMD/11/6-02 dated 14th June, 2002 on the following subject:
Personal intervention solicited to hold order no. 11-1/2000-TEI dated 28th Feb. in abeyance.
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An unjustified and unwarranted attack on our promotional avenues, which are already very narrow, by way of reduction of more than 50% of S.T.S. posts in the maintenance region is something which requires our immediate intervention. This is something which has not only to be resisted and defeated but the BSNL management has to be told in clear cut terms that such arbitrary, unfair and unjustified attacks on our legitimate promotional path, which is already restricted, should be abandoned once for all.
We have already drawn attention of CMD/BSNL vide our no. BSNL EA/CMD/12/6-02 dated 14th June 2002 as under:
We are constrained to seek your immediate personal intervention to hold the aforesaid order in abeyance. The order which is irrational and is devoid of any scientific basis is nothing but arbitrary in all it's dimensions and is being largely viewed as an attempt to further strangulate an already existing narrow promotional path available to TES Gr B Officers. It is unfortunate that instead of improving the existing promotional avenues, an attempt is being made to further squeeze these restricted avenues.
What is very significant and relevant to mention that a committee consisting of DDG(NM), CGM, ETR, GM Mtce, STR, Chennai, GM Mtce, STR, Bangalore, Director, NTR, DGM(A), WTR and DGM (A), ETR was held on 15-01-2002 and this committee having an extensive and wide ranging experience in transmission network have suggested norms for creation of post of DE(Transmission). This committee has based it's findings on the basis of actual field requirements and practical applications. Whereas no action has been taken on the positive aspects of the recommendations of this committee, the stringent norms vide No; 11-1/2000-TE.I dated 28th February 2002 has already been enforced.
Our members working in the Mtce regions are extremely aggrieved and agitated over these unfortunate developments and our branches in these regions have unanimously passed resolutions for holding the new norms in abeyance till such time a final decision is taken on the recommendations submitted by a committee of experts. What has upset us most is that while the committee of experts submitted it's recommendations on 15-1-2002, on which decision is yet to be taken, arbitrary norms were issued on 28th February 2002. We are very confident that this matter would receive your utmost kind attention and that immediate instructions would be issued to hold the said arbitrary order in abeyance.
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(A2) Addressed to CMD/BSNL/vide No. BSNLEA/CMD/12-6-2002 dt. 19th June 2002 on the following subject: Enlarging the terms of the committee set up under SrDDG (P) so as to include finding out ways and means to absorb existing adhoc S.T.S. officers as Gr. A only.
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This is yet another issue which requires serious intervention of appropriate authorities to the extent of suitably modifying the terms of reference of the above committee so as to include absorption of adhoc S.T.S. officers as Gr. A in BSNL consequent upon absorption.
The issue of absorption of adhoc S.T.S as Gr A in BSNL consequent upon their absorption is an issue of extreme significance and has been cause of severe concern to huge number of adhoc S.T.S. Very frankly speaking, the views expressed by those claiming to be the only spokesperson of TES Gr B are not truly retlecting the sentiments and the stand of about 2500 adhoc S.T.S officers who feel not only let down but greatly demoralised.
Against the background of this reality, we have had extensive and meaningful discussions with Director(HRD)/BSNL nearly two months before and it was a matter of greatest satisfaction for us to find Director (HRD) not only having highest appreciation but lot of keenness too to resolve this issue at the earliest.
To that extent, we found Director(HRD) and Sr DDG(P) totally convinced about the genuineness and justness of the issue.
In MTNL, the terms and conditions already circulated clearly envisage absorption of Adhoc S.T.S officers in Gr A and as far as absorption in MTNL and BSNL is concerned, we find practically no difference vis-a vis absorption of adhoc S.T.S officers.
In case the BSNL management is really keen and serious about absorption of Gr B and Adhoc S.T.S officers, then it shall have to create conducive and encouraging conditions for people to get absorbed. All the efforts shall have to be undertaken to remove even the minor irritants and the management shall have to act in an extremely pragmatic, professional and transparent manner. A conservative closed door attitude has never yielded positive results and in today's modern society, such an attitude is not only unthinkable but counter productive too.
Viewed against these facts, it is not only important to resolve this issue but resolution of this vital issue will undoubtedly pave the way for a very smooth transition and will infuse enormous sense of confidence among people. It is only a question of understanding the enormous positive impact that resolution of such an issue shall create and the amount of confidence that it shall generate.
Unfortunately so far issues are not perceived in this perspective and same bureaucratic approach continues to prevail. This surely is not an encouraging sign for a company which is to confront virtually a cut throat competition in the days to come and is to survive. This Organisation has to be terribly vibrant, free from bureaucratic way of working and extremely responsive and result oriented. Professionalism, transparency and modern outlook should be the basic traits of the company.
We believe that adequate actions would be initiated by the management to bring about radical transformation in the very outlook and working environment of the Organisation. In accomplishing this arduous task, we, as an organisation, assure you of our unwavering and unqualified support and absolute commitment. We are confident that whatever we have suggested shall be taken in the right spirit and actions would be initiated to resolve the issue of absorption of Adhoc S.T.S. officers as Gr A consequent upon their absorption in BSNL. This action of the management shall create wonders and act as a strong catalyst towards accelerating the process of absorption. And the committee already set up under the Chairmanship of Sr DDG(P)/BSNL can find out the ways and means of accomplishing it, provided this issue is brought under the purview of this committee. The issue is not difficult to resolve provided there is will to resolve it.
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(B)Our considered opinion and submissions on the vital issue of IDA pay scales to the chairman of the committee set up to decide IDA Pay scales and other perks.
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At the very outset, on my personal behalf, and on behalf of thousands and thousands of members of this Association throughout the whole country, we wholeheartedly congratulate you and other members of the committee for having been assigned with a very critical and paramount task of having to decide IDA pay scales and other perks of executives. In this crucial assignment of yours, you shall never find us wanting in any manner, whatsoever, in successfully meeting the objectives for which the committee has been constituted. While assuring you our total support and cooperation, we are confident that your extraordinary pragmatism and dynamism, we shall be able to get pay scales commensurate with our entry level qualifications, mode of screening, nature of job and nature of responsibilities.
While dealing with the issues of IDA pay scales what has to be essentially borne in mind is the fact that other private operators, in the present climate of competitive environment, are not in a position to create conditions for exodus of very committed and competent people in our organisation. To that extent the committee should be conscious of the fact that, at least, minimum level of motivation is essentially required to retain people in the organisation.
We would like to recapitulate the findings of National Productivity Council on the issue relating to higher pay scale of erstwhile JEs. The premier consultancy organisation made noteworthy recommendations relating to job content, nature of responsibilities and contribution of JEs in areas of high technology. The consultants conclusively identified JEs as the base level managerial cadre extensively involved in qualitative and quantitative growth of the network. Almost identical observations were reiterated by S.M. Aggarwal committee and finally JEs were placed in the payscale of Rs. 1640-2900. This was essentially in recognition of very strategic and crucial role of JTOs in so far as balanced, qualitative and fast expansion of the Telecom. Services is concerned and this was emphatically and unambiguously acknowledged by National Productivity Council. Since then things have never really looked back and there have been substantial improvements in the career growth of JTOs.
Another critical breakthrough in regard to career upliftment of JTOs came by the way of sweeping recommendations made by the Vth C.P.C. Fully realising the potential and extremely pivotal role of JTOs in areas of high technology and consequential high growth rate of Telecom. Services, particularly in rural and far flung areas, the apex body constituted by the Govt. to decide the pay structure of the Central Govt. employees suggested appropriate amendments of the then existing recruitment rules and a very rigorous screening at the entry level. The pay commission lifted this cadre from highest Gr. C non Gazetted to Gr B Gazetted. These recruitment rules envisaged recruitment of JTOs through a competitive examination to be conducted by the U.P.S.C.. The govt. accepted these recommendations and implemented them. All these actions were basically contemplated and brought about by the apex body to bring about complete consistency between the strategic placement of this cadre and it's career growth. All these developments clearly indicate and underline that practically there is no distinction between an ADET recruited by U.P.S.C. and a J.T.O. rigorously screened by IIT. A close look at the minimum level entry qualifications and mode of screening of both the cadres clearly reveals striking similarities between the two cadres.
We believe the above solid and rational arguments lend very strong credence to the irrefutable fact that the JTO is nothing but a graduate engineering trainee, by all means comparable to graduate engineering trainees recruited by other premier PSUs. In fact it would not be an exaggeration to state that a JTO has an inevitable edge over a graduate engineering trainee in other PSU.
Recently we have aquainted you good self with all the relevant facts and figures relating to IDA pay scales existing in similarly placed PSUs and from these facts it is abundantly clear that our demand of placing JTOs in pay scale of E2 i.e. 10750-300-16750 is not only fully justified but is in essence lower than what graduate engineering trainess get in other PSUs. For instance, in BHEL, an entirely new pay scale, commencing from Rs. 11200/- has been introduced for graduate engineering trainees. Similarly, for graduate engineering trainees in Oil India, pay scale beginning from Rs. 12000/- has been introduced for graduate engineering trainees. In sharp contrast, our demand of placement of JTO in the E2 Payscale of 10750-300-16750 is not only very very genuine, justified but has strongest and irrefutable grounds. Besides, the merits on which our request is primarily based are rational and meticulous.
We are very optimistic that under your dynamic and most able leadership, the committee shall give full and due consideration to ground realities. and thus come out with findings which are just, fair and reasonable.